Priapism is a urological emergency resulting from a compartment syndrome of the corpus cavernosa. Patients present with a painful, non-erogenous penile erection, typically lasting for >4 h. Without emergency treatment resulting in detumescence of the penis, permanent erectile dysfunction and penile shortening invariably occur. Priapism occurs most frequently in men with haematological dyscrasias, in particular sickle cell disease. Malignancy, recreational and prescribed drugs are also known causes of priapism. The acute management of priapism includes aspiration of the penis, instillation of saline and injection vasoactive medications to aid in corporal smooth muscle contraction. If these methods fail, the patient may require surgical intervention in the form of a shunting procedure to aid venous drainage of the corpora. Men with refractory ischemic priapism may require the acute insertion of a penile prosthesis.